Europe winter weather- Amsterdam or Spain
 

Hello
My friends and I are looking to do a 5 day trip to a European city in February. Our tope choices are Barcelona or Amsterdam. Just wondering how the weather will affect our visit...I know february is not "the time to go", but will the weather keep us from experiencing all of the things one should experience in either of these cities? It looks like Barcelona wil be about 10 degrees warmer than amsterdam.We are from New England so we're certainly not afrad of being a little cold...just want to make sure our experience wont be less than it should be because we went at the wrong time of year. Any suggestions on which would be the best place to spend 5 february days is much appreciated!
Thanks!

Barcelona. I haven't been to Amsterdam, but I can tell you that Barcelona can actually be quite pleasant in February! It's no fun walking around a great city in the freezing cold, and the days will be a little longer in the south.

I love hausfrau's response. "Barcelona. I haven't been to Amsterdam."

Those are two pretty different cities. What led you to choose between them? If you are a Rembrandt or Van Gogh fan you'll enjoy Amsterdam. Forget the weather.

The only weather that's wrong for travel is snow at the beach or hot weather on the ski slopes. Although, the topiary at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is far prettier in summer.

As a european [despite what i may have implied in another thread] I would go for barcelona, not amsterdam that time of year. Of course, good weather is not guarenteed, but you are much more likely to be able to sit outdoors at lunchtime enjoying a pavement cafe in Barcelona in feb, than you are in a'dam.

In fact, we are going to Madrid at the end of Feb, to escape from this vile english winter - i wouldn't dream of gonig to Amsterdam at this time of year, it would be too much like home!

I just was in Barcelona a few weeks ago (Dec-Jan) and have been to Amsterdam in March. It was much nicer in Barcelona than in Amsterdam-- like 30 degrees warmer F!

Either one is considerably less cold than New England - and you're more likely to be irritated by rain than cold.

Snoopy, OK, I agree that sounded a little lame ;-), but mo261 asked a question about the weather, not the cities, and I answered it. Mo said those two cities are their top choices and they would be happy to go to either one. I would have answered the same way about any northern European city, whether I had been there or not, vs. Barcelona. I am living in Europe and have traveled at all times of the year. Frankly, cold weather CAN make it difficult to "experience all of the things one should experience," as mo so aptly puts it, so why not go to the fabulous city of Barcelona, where one might actually get some warmth and sunshine in February?

Why lame? Mo indeed asked about the weather not the cities. Not everyone likes walking around in freezing weather or rain. Except my german shepherd that is.

Having been to both cities in the winter I would suggest Barcelona. Love both cities by the way.